Bridge scoring device



y 1932- w. v. DEGALAN 1,858,075

' BRIDGE SCORING DEVICE Filed March 24, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

Patented May 10, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM V. DE GALAN, OF GROSSE IIJE, MICHIGAN BRIDGE SCORING- DEVICE Application filed March 24, 1931. Serial No. 524,936.

This invention relates to a scoring device I for card games and it has particular relationeach hand has been played. This is particularly true in contract bridge, because the suits have different values, as well as allowances in the scoring for honors and number of tricks. Inaddition to this, there are allowances for a definite number of tricks as well as a bonus for successfully securing the number of tricksbid, when the bid has been doubled or redou'bled.

Heretofore it required separate calculations, for the various scoring values, after each hand was played, before final tabulation of the total score. In this invention I have provided a device, in which the scoring values, corresponding to the suit played, is immediatel presented for final tabulation, thus obviatlng both the time required for calculations, as well as the discomforts and annoyances relating to the scoring in card games. i

In this invention a scoring device is provided which comprises an arcuate panel or housing'having a plurality of windows therein and identifying indicia disposed on the face side of the housing. A drum having a scoring form on its outer periphery is rotat ably and slidably mounted in the housing. The scoring forms are each provided with certain indicia which coact to disclose the proper score corresponding to the number of tricks or suit bid. Means are provided for radially and axially moving the second scoring form and upon movement in either or both directions the scoring adapted to each or any particular bid is readily disclosed for tabulation.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may now be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a scoring device, constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the invention, taken substantially along line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the invention, taken substantially along lines 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4' isa fragmentary sectional view of the invention, taken substantially alongline 44 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a fra mentary sectional view of the invention, taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is plan view of one scoring form embodied in the invention, and

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a second scoring form so shown for the purpose of clearly disclosing the scoring. form as embodied in the invention.

In practicing my invention I employ a base 10, having a housing 11, rigidly secured there to, by means of rivets 12. The housing 11 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally disposed window openings 13, 14:,- 15,16 and 17 and a transverse slot 18. A scoring form 20, having openings therein, coacting with the longitudinally disposed openings in the housing is secured to the outer side of the housing 11 and is provided with indicia to identify the window openings 13, 14:, 15, 16 and 17 The openings 13, 14 and 15 are provided to indicate the score, including bonuses and premiums, when the bid has been made by the declarer, each. opening disclosing a different suit value, namely, clubs and diamonds, hearts and spades, and no trump re spectively. A shaft 22, having asquare pol tion 23, is rotatably mounted in the housing 11. A drum 25, mounted on the shaft 22, rotates therewith and is also adapted to move axially along the portion 23, of. the shaft 22.

A second scoring form 26 having portions of indicia 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33, indicating the number of tricks in a hand of contract bridge, is disposed about the outer periphery of the drum 25, said portions being provide with circumferentially extending line columns of indicia 36, 35 and 34 representing the value of a trick if undoubled, doubled and redoubled respectively. Axially disposed line columns of indicia 37, 38, 39, 40, 41 and 42 are provided to coact with the indicia on the form 20, namely points, game, when invulnerable, and when vulnerable, respectively. Second axially disposed line columns, of indicia 43, a line being provided for each trick, is adapted to coact with openings 16 and 17 to indicate the value of the penalty, in accordance with the number of tricks the declarer has been set and whether or not he is vulnerable or invulnerable. A hand wheel 45, having indicia thereon corresponding to the number of tricks in the game is mounted on one end of the shaft, and is adapted to rotate the scoring form 26, to any desired position. A pawl or lever' 46', havmg a portion '47, projecting through the slot 18 engages the drum 25 and is adapted to axially move the scoring form 26, so that any,

desired line column, for the respective suits, is positioned in ahgnment with the window openings, as indicated by the indicia on the scoring form 20. A notch member 48, mounted on the shaft 22, coacts with a member 49, for yieldingly maintaining the drum 25 in' position, when not actuated by the wheel 45. A plate 50 provided with flange portions 51 and 52 is secured to the base 10 and is rovided to support a tally sheet (not shown).

In scoring, for contract bridge, there are various trick values for the several suits, the values of which are tabulated by the standard of whether the hand was undoubled, doubled, or redoubled, and whether the hand is vulnerable or invulnerable. In operating a device constructed in accordance with my invention, let us assume for example, that one no trump has been bid, the declarer, having redoubled a double, and is vulnerable. not only successfully fulfills his bid, but he takes three tricks over the contract. T o tabulate this score the hand wheel 45, actuating the drum 25, having the scoring form 26 thereon, is rotated until indicia portion 27,

having line columns 37 to42, is exposed to view in the proper sequence. As the hand played was redoubled the finger portion 47, 1S actuated, axially moving the drum 25, until the line column 34 is exposed to view in the window openings 13, 14, and 15. As the bid was no trump the value exposed in the window opening 15 is computed, in accordance with the bid thereof.

Assumingthe declarer failed to make his bid and was set two tricks, the hand wheel 45,

actuating the drum 25, having the scoring form 26 thereon, is rotated until indicia portion 29 having line column .43, is exposed to view. As the hand played was redoubled the finger portion 47 is actuated, axially moving the drum 25 until the line column representa- The declarer tive of the redoubled penalty is exposed through the window openings 16 and 17 from which the valuation of the penalty may be readily seen from the respective windows, depending on whether or not the hand was vulnerable. or invulnerable.

F mm the foregoing description it is apparent that I have provided a mechanical scoring device for card games in which the score of each bid may be rapidly and easily tabulated irrespective of the suit played.

Although I have illustrated but one form which my invention may assume and have described in detail but a single application thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited but that various minor modifications and changes may v panel to identify the window openings, a

drum journalcd back of said panel, groups of scoring indicia on said drum for tricks taken in excess of the required book, means for rotating said drum to bring the group thereon corresponding to the number of excess tricks taken into registrywithsaid openings and means for, moving said drum axially to bring the desired appropriate indicia thereon, corresponding to the trick value, into registry with the window openings.

2. In a bridge scoring device; an arcuate panel'having relatively narrow window openings therein extending circumferentially thereof for the difi'erent card suits, indicia on said panel to identify the window openings, a drum journaled back of said panel, circumferentially aligned groups of scoring indicia on said drum corresponding to the-number of tricks taken in excess of the required book,

each group comprising axially spaced subgroups for the suits bid, each sub-group com prising circumferentially aligned columns of indicia corresponding to the counting value of the excess trick or tricks, means for rotating said drum to bring the desired group of indicia into registry with the window open-. ings and means'for moving said drum axially for bringing the proper column into registry with its window opening.

3. In a bridge scoring device, a panel having relatively narrow window' openings therein for the card suits, indicia on said registry with said panel openings and means for moving said member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first men- 4 tioned movement to bring the desired appro- 5 priate indicia. thereon, corresponding to the trick value, into registry with the window openings.

WILLIAM v. DE GAL N. 

